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What does a nutritionist feed her kids? Top 10 tips to survive eating with children

Health & Medical

AT face value Dr Jane Bowen is a hard-core academic. With a PhD in nutrition and two bachelor degrees, her work as a research scientist and dietician might seem a little removed from the trials of the daily grind.

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But there are plenty of practical challenges in Jane’s life too. With three children aged 6, 4 and 2 to love and nourish, Jane and her husband know all about the sleep deprivation, the emotional highs and lows and the apparently endless daily chores that come with parenting.

So amongst all the cuddles, washing and toddler negotiations, what does a nutritionist feed her kids?

Here are Jane’s top 10 tips to surviving meals with children, and setting your kids on the right track towards nutritious eating for life.

1. Be a good role modelnormalises

2. Think about food behavioursbehaviourschildrens’

3. Eat dinner early

4. Have strategies up your sleeve  favouritedinni’

5. Plan ahead

6. Don’t insist on an empty plate

7. Avoid making dessert a permanent fixture

8. Let your children make some food decisions

9.  Make eating about nutrition not fullnesswholegrainfibremuesliWeetBixlunchboxes

10. Talk about food and healthdemotivating

Jane is a member of CSIROseven, a group of Australian scientists working towards research breakthroughs. She is a Research Scientist and Dietitian for CSIRO Food and Nutrition, based at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

This is a Creative Commons story from The Lead South Australia, a news service providing stories about innovation in South Australia. Please feel free to use the story in any form of media. The story sources are linked in with the copy and all contacts are willing to talk further about the story. Copied to Clipboard

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